Wrotham's Airwaves Racing gave recent signing Michael Caine the
chance to sample a few laps of the Brands Hatch circuit today
(Wednesday), ahead of this weekend's crucial Dunlop MSA British
Touring Car Championship round. However his form of transport was a
little unconventional, as the car was supplied by team sponsor
Addison Lee, better known for providing taxi cabs!

Caine made his BTCC race debut at the previous round at
Rockingham, scoring points in the event, and is looking forward to
a successful weekend at Brands Hatch on 1/2 October. He joins
regulars Liam Griffin and Mat Jackson, and the latter will be
aiming to pick up vital wins for his championship campaign this
weekend, after being dogged by recent misfortune. Success would
represent Airwaves Racing's first championship success and a
good performance at their home circuit would set them up
perfectly for the final round a fortnight later.

As befits a taxi driver, Caine took a passenger around the
famous corners and dips of the Brands Hatch circuit from in the
Addison Lee Ford Galaxy, which can usually be found taking fare
payers home from shops or restaurants. Stuart Ilsley of Rainham,
Kent, won a competition to take part in the ride. "It was very
exciting," he said. "Tom - my son - is 9 and he's looking forward
to coming down here on Sunday for the race; it will be a really
good day. I'm looking forward to enjoying the event and looking out
for my taxi driver again!"

Caine, enjoying his role as cabbie, remarked: "any amount of
track time is pretty decent track time but whilst the Galaxy is
from the same manufacturer, the Focus is just a little bit
better!

Looking ahead to this weekend, Caine added, "the excitement was
at Rockingham and now we've got to do a job," he continued. "So
Brands is going to be good for the Airwaves Focus. It's Airwaves
Racing's back garden, so we've got a right to come and play, and
hopefully we can have some good results. Mat can get some better
luck and me and Liam can have some fun."

Caine's former Posrche Carrera Cup GB team mate Tim
Harvey also came along to offer moral support. The ITV BTCC
commentator and former champion provided his thoughts on the
weekend's race. "I can't see the race wins going beyond the
Hondas, Mat Jackson or Jason Plato," he said. "However given
the success ballast and reverse grid, anything can happen. I can
certainly see a lot of people taking advantage of the reverse grid.
Given the ballast and form then it's got to be any of the
championship top four for the wins."

Tickets for the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car
Championship at Brands Hatch are available in advance
from £25, with free entry for children aged 12 and under.
Grandstand seating is also available. For more information call
0843 453 9000 or click
here.